SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - In a striking scene, David J. Schwartz finds himself on an empty highway in Arizona's high desert, his mind filled with the sounds of Depeche Mode. This industrial-leaning synth-pop soundtrack may appear incongruous against the backdrop of the vast landscape, yet it was the band's homage to Route 66 that inspired Schwartz over two decades of travel along this celebrated highway. With a camera in hand, he has made 42 trips, ultimately qualifying to create a series of postage stamps that commemorate the centennial of the Mother Road.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Postal Service is set to release eight stamps that highlight significant locations along Route 66 across the states it runs through. These stamps portray a nostalgic landscape of vintage diners, gas stations, and motels, many of which have been preserved or restored, alongside the breathtaking vistas emblematic of the open road. Route 66, which stretches 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers), has been an essential part of American history since its inception in 1926, functioning as a vital escape during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, a military supply route during World War II, and a symbol of freedom and mobility in mid-century America.

Schwartz's journey with Route 66 originated in 1988, when he and his best friend had planned a road trip inspired by their newfound appreciation for Depeche Mode's cover of Bobby Troup's 1946 hit, "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66". However, a restriction from Schwartz's mother delayed his first encounter with the iconic highway until 2004. To Schwartz, Route 66 represents a fragment of a new, mobile America; even after its official decommissioning in 1985, numerous stretches remain popular among tourists and road warriors today.

While discussing the beauty of the highway, Schwartz reflects, "There’s so much to explore... You start here in Illinois on 66, cruising through prairie land. By the time you get out west, you’re in the desert or you’re in mountains through hairpin turns. It’s just an incredible journey." After becoming weary of his career in retail management, Schwartz pursued photography and began dreaming of a Route 66 stamp project a decade ago, which materialized when he was selected for the task in 2023. "Here is my moment to bring Route 66 to the masses," he exclaimed.

USPS art director Greg Breeding was captivated by Schwartz's photography, which was noted for its authenticity and ability to invite viewers into the scene without the commercial and slick edges often associated with such work. "They’re as if you were there," Breeding commented, recognizing their potential as stamps. The resulting collection features 16 stamps, including two from each of the eight states along Route 66, alongside a ninth image serving as the block's selvage — an empty Arizona highway captured in 2023 near Seligman. Schwartz feels that these stamps will inspire people to adventure along the road and support local businesses, fostering a culture that keeps Route 66 alive for another century.

Despite the allure of interstates, Schwartz highlights that travelers miss out on the true experience of the landscape if they bypass Route 66. "You’d probably get run over," he remarked wryly, emphasizing how interstates prioritize quick transit and disregard the intricate contours of the land. "On Route 66, you’re actually part of the landscape as you move through it." The photographers intentionally avoided popular tourist spots to offer a fresh perspective while creating a sense of allure and maintaining the highway's charm through their work.

Among Schwartz's favorite stamps is one of a 1929 Model A Ford on the last remaining brick section of Route 66 located in Auburn, south of Springfield, Illinois. This image was designed to evoke the sense of being present at Route 66's inception. Breeding noted that they aimed to reflect the colorful, quirky, and historical nature of the highway, creating a visual narrative that encompasses the rich tapestry of America's past.

As Schwartz makes his work available to the public through these stamps, he expresses a sense of awe at how they will travel across the United States, reaching countless mailboxes and, hopefully, inspiring people to embark on their own journeys along Route 66.